Sports

Spirit Lake, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For more information contact the Spirit Lake fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHWEST

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

As of Feb. 24th, anglers were out on the main basin of the lake. If you do venture out, use extreme caution as ice conditions will only continue to deteriorate every day. There are areas of open water near shore, near the islands, and the inlet.

Clear Lake

Clear Lake has around 16-18 inches of ice but the warm weather coming this weekend will make water run down the access on the little lake and melt ice quickly. There is a little bit of current flowing into the little lake from Ventura Marsh; be aware of possible thin ice on the south side of the little lake. This week and beyond will likely be great for portable or open ice fishing. Yellow Bass – Fair: Baptist camp to the west edge of the aerator was one of the better spots last week again. Anglers moving around near Farmers Beach did ok. Walleye – Good: Anglers have had good success on structure on the east end of the lake this (East aerator, Hy-Vee Reef, Fisherman’s Reef, Gilmore Reef). An occasional walleye is being caught near the aerator or west to Baptist camp. Use jigging spoons, small lipless cranks, or 1/8 oz. jigs with minnows. Crappie – Good: Some crappies caught in 16 feet of water on the little lake on minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Occasional larger perch (9.5-10 inches) have been caught on the little lake. Channel Catfish – Good: No reports, but catfish activity picks up during late ice conditions. Use light jigs tipped with a small piece of cut bait or three to four spikes or wax worms. Farmers Beach and the island have been good in the past.

Big Spirit Lake

Ice conditions: 16 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Perch – Slow: The perch bite has slowed some the past week. Anglers are still picking up some nice perch off of Bakers point and north of marble beach in 20 feet of water. Try small silver spoons or gold tear drops tipped with maggots or wax worms.

Center Lake

Ice conditions: 15-16 inches of ice but conditions varied. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity was minimal the past week.

East Okoboji Lake

Ice condition: 15-16 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Bass – Good: Some nice yellow bass have been caught on the north end of the lake off of Peppermint point and in front of Parks Marina. Bright tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers have been picking up some nice perch on the drop of Gingles point and in front of Parks Marina. Pilkie type lures tipped with maggots work well.

Minnewashta Lake

Ice conditions: 15-17 inches of ice. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Bass – Slow: Christys point has been producing some nice yellows in 10-12 feet of water. Try small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or maggots.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Ice conditions: 14-16 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use extreme caution during ice activities. The aeration system is in use. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes have been caught along the south shore line. Evenings seems to be the best bite. Try glow spoons tipped with minnow heads.

West Okoboji Lake

Ice conditions: 14-16 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Bluegill – Good: The north shoreline in Millers bay has been producing some nice bluegills in 8-10 feet of water. The north end of Haywards bay has also been producing some nice bluegills along with nice crappies. Gold tear drops or small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are finding some nice perch on the north hump in Millers bay. Mornings seem to be the best bite. Manhattan point has also been producing some perch in 30-35 feet of water.

Sioux Center, Iowa — Dordt College Athletic Director Glenn Bouma has announced Lynn Nutt’s appointment as defensive coordinator with the Dordt College football program.

Nutt’s coaching experiences include two seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University and a season at William Jewell as defensive line coach. Nutt was the head coach in 2012 at Pike County High School after serving as defensive coordinator at the school in 2011. After graduating from William Jewell, Nutt was an assistant football coach at Fair Grove High School in 2009 and 2010.

“Coach Nutt has a strong pedigree as a coach that makes him a great hire for our program. When we set out to make this hire, we filtered candidates based on the priorities of teaching/mentoring, recruiting, and coordinating defense. With Lynn, I have no doubt, we have hired the total package guy. He has experiences as a high school head coach, NAIA assistant, and Division I assistant which will serve him well in his role here at Dordt. In addition to having a very sharp football mind, Nutt has his a personality that will draw people to want to work hard for him,” said Dordt College head football coach Penner.

Nutt was a four-year member of the William Jewell football team and graduated from William Jewell in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He completed a Masters of Education in May 2011 fron Southwest Baptist University.

“I am very excited at the opportunity to join the Dordt family. I think it’s important for young men to be aware of the environment they are entering when making their college decision, and I can’t think of a better place than Dordt College. It is important to surround yourself with the right people, both in life and when building a football program. When you have the right people in the right spots, everything else follows. I’m pleased to join a staff and school that is ready to make a difference by recruiting the right kind of people. My wife and I are excited to join the Christian community at Dordt and contribute to the future of the program,” said Nutt.

Sioux City, Iowa — The #1 Western Christian Wolfpack and #13 Lawton-Bronson Eagles battled for a trip to State in a Girls 2A Region 1 final Monday night at the Soux City East High School Gym. Western Christian punched their ticket with a hard fought 76-64 win.

Each team would trade baskets throughout the opening period and at the end of one it was Western with the slight edge, 16-15. The back and forth would continue in the 2nd quarter and by the midway point, Western would lead 34-32. The third quarter would continue the tension felt in the first half. Andee Martin hit a last second 3-point shot from downtown to give the Eagles a 52-50 lead heading into the final 8 minutes. Western Christian would take the lead back midway through the 4th and get some breathing room with key 3-pointers. The Wolfpack would come away with the win 76-64.

Western had 4 players in double figures. Ashtyn Veerbeek lead the Wolfpack with a team high 22 points including 10 in the fourth quarter, Payton Harmsen came away with 15 points including a pair of corner threes, one from each side to jump start the fourth quarter run. Erica Bousema and Kaira Moss each added 13 each. The Eagles received a game high 26 points from Anna Dreessen.

Top ranked Western Christian improves to 22-2 heading into the State Tournament. #13 Lawton-Bronson finishes their year at 19-4. Western will open State Tournament play on Monday February 29th at 5:00pm. They draw 23-1 Central Decatur in the upper bracket quarterfinals.